Apparatus for flaking molten solids



Dec. 17, 1929. J, c BOERTLElN 1,740,064

APPARATUS FOR FLAKING MOLTEN SOLIDS Filed March 1928 Patented Dec. 17,1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN G. BOEBTLEIN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO,ASSIGNOB, BY IEBNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

THE GB-ASSELLI CHEHICAL COIPANY, OI CLEVELAND, OHIO,

DELAWARE A CORPORATION OF APPARATUS FOR FLAKING MOL'IEN SOLIDSApplication filed latch 15,

The present invention relates to ap aratus for producing solid materialsin the orm of flakes, and particularly to drum 'flakers wherein the filmof material being flaked is subjected to bilateral cooling.

It has been proposed to congeal molten solid materials, such as, forexample, caustic soda, soap, sodium sulfide, niter cake, normally solidaromatic hydrocarbons and the like,

by means of arotating drum mounted to rotate with a small portion of itsperipheral surface dipping into the molten material, and to scrape theresulting coating of congealed material from the periphery of the drumin the form of flakes. The flaked product possesses the advantages ofbeing homogeneous in composition and, because of its physical form(being in the form of thin, fiat pieces of laminae), of presenting alarge surface to the action of a solvent. It is easy to handle, and canbe readily packaged and removed from containers.

In order to expedite the production of flaked material and to increasethe capacity of the flaking apparatus it has been further proposed tocool the flaking drum internally by circulating cooling fluids throughthe interior of the drum. This cooling is commonly effected withwater,'brine or the like.

I have now found that the flaking operation may be greatly expedited andsome of its disadvantages overcome by submitting the exterior surface ofthe film of congealing material to the cooling action of a current 0 airin addition to the internal cooling of the drum.

This additional cooling of the external surface of the film ensures thatthis surface will be sufficiently hard when scraped off so that theflakes will not adhere to each other or clump together into lumps. Italso facilitates the breaking of the film into uniform flat laminse whenit is scraped off.

This external cooling of the congealing film can be eflected, forinstance, by blowing a current of air through one or more perforatedpipes arranged about the periphery of the drum parallel to its axis. Theperforations inthe pipes are directed toward 50 the surface of the drumand the force of the 1928. Serial Io. 259,857.

air current is so regulated that the film of solid material, whenscraped off, breaks up into uniform, substantially flat laminae, whichwill not stick to each other or clump together.

Another method of cooling the film externally is to blow or suck acurrent of air over a more or less extended portion of the peripheralsurface of the drum. This may advantageously be done by arranging a hoodover the portion of the peripheral surface of the drum to be subjectedto the cooling action of the current of air, and connecting this hoodwith means for creating an air current such as a fan.

The manner in which the present invention may be advantageously carriedout is shown byway of example in the annexed illustrations of which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are a front and a side elevatlon, respectively, of oneembodiment of the invention; and

Figs. 3 and i are a front and a side elevation, respectively, of asecond embodiment of the invention.

In the figures the drum 1 is revolvably supported by hollow bearingshafts 2, resting on the brackets 3, in such a way that a small portionof the lower peripheral surface of the drum dips into the pan 4;containing molten material to be flaked. The solidified film is removedfrom the drum by the scraper 5. A cooling fluid, such as water, iscirculated through the interior of the drum by means f of the hollowbearing shafts 2, the fluid entering by one shaft and leaving by theother. If desired, the shaft through which the water enters may beconstructed in such a manner that the entering cold water is directed toany portion of the periphery which it is advangageous to subject to thegreatest cooling ef- 'ect.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the external cooling is obtained by means of threeperforated pipes 6, connected by a common header 7 to a source of airunder pressure (not shown). The pipes may be advantageously inch indiameter and are perforated, for instance, with t, inch holes spaced 2inches from center to center. The air issuing under pressure from theholes sprays the surface of the film of congealing material, andaids incooling the film and hardens its external surface. The expansion of theair issuing from the perforaair and to increase its cooling effect.

Another means of effecting the external cooling of the film isillustrated by Figs. 3 and 4. A hood is arranged over a portion of thesurface of the drum. The hood is preferably constructed so that it comesinto rubbing contact withthe lateral sides of the drum so that nopassage is left for the air, and

. apertures 9 are left across the periphery of the drum for the entranceor exit of the air current. The hood is connected with a fan or othermeans for sucking or blowing air.

It will be'apparent that the present invention comprises a novelapparatus for the production of solid materials in the form of flakes,and comprises a flaking drum having in combination therewith means forpositive- 1y cooling both the inner and outer surfaces of the congealingfilm of material, and especially a flaking drum in combination withmeans for subjecting the interior of the drum to the cooling action of acooling fluid such as water and means for subjecting the exteriorperiphery of the drum to the cooling action of a current of air or othergaseous medium.

I claim:

An apparatus for flaking molten solids, comprising a rotatable drum,means for depositing a coating of molten solid 0n the peripheral surfaceof said drum, means for subjecting the interior of the drum to theaction of a cooling fluid, means for subjecting the external surface ofsaid coating to the cooling action of a current of air, said meanscomprising a plurality of pipes extending parallel to the axis of saiddrum, in the vicinity of the peripheral surface thereof, and perforatedadjacent to said surface, and means associated with said drum forremoving the congealed coating therefrom.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

JOHN C. BOERTLEIN.

tions tends to lower the temperature of the

